Nurses at Essentia Health-St. Joseph' Medical Center and Clinics are being honored with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's national program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

Recently recognized with a DAISY award was Barbara Kramer, RN, who cares for patients in Essentia Health-St. Joseph' Medical Center. Barbara lives in Crosby and has been a nurse with Essentia Health for a year. Also recognized was Joy Bridewell, RN, who cares for patients on the 6th Floor Medical Unit. Joy lives in Pierz and has been a nurse with Essentia Health for eleven years. Both were honored with a DAISY Award for kindness and compassion shown to patients and their families. Upon receiving the award Barbara said, "This is something we do every day! It' an overwhelming honor. Thank you."

Essentia Chief Nursing Officer Pat DeLong said, "We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It' important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that."

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Essentia to receive the DAISY Award. Awards are given throughout the year. Each honoree receives a certificate for being an "Extraordinary Nurse." The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people." The honoree is also given a beautiful and meaningful Healer' Touch statue which symbolizes the relationship between nurses, patients and families. It is a sculpture made by the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe and was chosen by the DAISY Foundation for its symbolism depicting the embracing relationships nurses have with their patients. Shona healers are affectionately regarded as treasures by those they care for.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was created by the family of Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from an auto immune disease. Because of the extraordinary nursing care Patrick received, the family wanted to find a way to say "Thank You" to nurses everywhere for what they do every day for patients and families. They knew their experience wasn't unique, and wanted to express gratitude through meaningful recognition of nurses to help them understand the impact they have on the lives of the people they care for.

Throughout the year, you may nominate a nurse for The DAISY Award. Forms are available at Essentia or you can request one be sent to you from the following email Daisy.Central@EssentiaHealth.org